The Washoe County District Attorney's Office says a deadly officer-involved shooting at last year's 'Wing Fest' in downtown Reno was legally justified.
The DA's Office says the July 2016 shooting involved a high-risk situation between officers with the Reno Police Department and Raul Saavedra-Vargas, who had fled an attempted traffic stop moments before driving into the crowded street event.
Concluding that the shooting officer was justified in his actions, DA Chris Hicks has released a 26 page report outlining the incident and his analysis. You can read it here: https://www.washoecounty.us/da/newsroom/reports.php
According to the report, on Sunday, July 3, 2016 at approximately 1:30 p.m. an RPD Motor Officer encountered a van being driven the wrong way on a one-way street. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but Saavedra refused to stop. Instead, authorities say he fled and started speeding towards downtown Reno. They say the officer pursued Saavedra observing him once again travel the wrong way on another one-way street before crashing into a car traveling on Center Street. Despite the significant collision, Saavedra continued driving northbound on Center Street. The DA's Office says fearing for the public’s safety the officer terminated the pursuit and stopped to check on the victims that had been struck by Saavedra. Saavedra continued and turned westbound onto Plaza Street traveling towards Virginia Street and the largely attended “Wing Fest” outdoor street festival. Two RPD officers working foot patrol at the event heard the travel path of Saavedra over the radio and began to move towards Plaza and Virginia Street. Once there, they say they heard the van’s screeching tires and saw Saavedra coming towards them and hundreds of Wing Fest patrons at a high rate of speed. Reacting, the officers say they yelled for bystanders to get down and for Saavedra to stop. The DA's Office says the van did not slow down and swerved towards the officers and several bystanders on the sidewalk. Fearing for his own safety and the safety of the public, one of the officers fired his gun at the driver. This did not stop Saavedra.
The DA's Office says he maneuvered the van past the Virginia Street barriers and began driving toward the Wing Fest patrons and vendor booths.
Both RPD officers ran to the side of the van and yelled again for Saavedra to stop. Instead, Saavedra revved the engine and continued moving forward. Fearing for the safety of the hundreds of people in Saavedra’s path, authorities say the RPD officer again fired several more shots at Saavedra who then crashed the van into a vendor booth where it stopped.
Saavedra was hit and later died from his injuries.
No criminal charges against the shooting officer were recommended by the Sheriff’s Office.
Based on the available evidence and the applicable legal authorities, DA Hicks concluded that the shooting of Saavedra by the RPD Officer was legally justified.
(The Washoe County District Attorney's Office contributed to this report.)
